I compliment the Minister on bringing this Bill before the House. It is long overdue. There may be a problem with it, concerning young people who may not be able to work after 10 p.m. If that is the case it should be looked at on Committee Stage. I welcome the Bill, and I do not think anyone can object to it as it protects young people who should be allowed to work to supplement their income. It is useful for them to learn the value of money and, through their work, to learn the important quality of self-reliance. We should not encourage people who are able to support themselves to become too dependent on the State for support. At the same time we must ensure that young people are not exploited.
If I go to a chip shop at 2 a.m. it annoys me to see young people of 14 or 15 years of age whose faces are white from fatigue working there. They may have been on duty since 10 a.m. This has to be stopped and I am glad the Minister has put restrictions on such exploitation of young people.
Late night work is often poorly paid. One often finds people from working class areas working in chippers and discos to supplement their income, they depend on it. The son of a bank manager will never be found doing such work because he will probably get a summer job opening the door of the bank. He will never be found working in a disco or "chipper" at 2 a.m. The station master's job or the bank manager's job is kept for the son or daughter of the station master or bank manager.
I welcome the Bill because those it aims to protect need protection. I hope legislation will be introduced to protect the rights of people living beside "chippers" which pose a major problem in every town and village.
People should enjoy their youth and should not feel they have to work. Many low paid workers whose children attend third level colleges have to give them money for digs and other living expenses. We must also give them money for food and entertainment. Although some may qualify for exemption from fees, it is a drain on any family to sent a child to third level education and children also feel the pressure. It is far more important that young people are educated so that they can get a good job and then support their families.
Under this legislation young workers will have much needed redress against employers who seek to take advantage of them. It will afford them protection against those who seek to exploit their youth. I am glad there are ways in which they may appeal against such employers — through a rights commissioner and the Labour Court. However, I am worried about who will police the legislation and how it will be policed. There is no point bringing legislation to the House if its implementation will not be policed. There must be prosecutions so people will know the legislation has teeth and that if people do not obey the law, they will be brought before the courts. We must not tolerate the exploitation of young people.
The income of each family member is important, particularly for families who are struggling. We are in a consumer society and there are many demands on parents who must buy uniforms when children go to school. For many parents it is important that their children making their confirmation and first communion have the best possible clothes. This puts pressure on their resources. A simple law should be passed so that children making their confirmation or first communion must wear their school uniforms. Many parents would object but it would save some a great deal of trouble.
I welcome the provision requiring school children working during the summer months to have at least three weeks holidays before they return to school. It is wrong for children to work until the Sunday night before they go back. Some parents will say the Minister is trying to stop young people from subsidising their income, but that is not what this Bill is about — it is to protect young people.
I hope the people who will implement the legislation will go to discos and chip shops and take on those exploiting young people. Young people have been exploited for many years and it is time legislation was introduced to protect them. While I do not believe the restrictions are too severe, 10 p.m. may be a little early and perhaps the Minister will look at this on Committee Stage.
I support young people going out to work as it is important that they learn how to handle money and that the State will not always provide for them. They should get an honest day's wages for an honest day's work and should not be abused by having to work 12 or 14 hours per day. Such abuse could work against them by giving them the wrong impression about life. It is great that young people can work for a few hours as it will give them experience of handling money and of helping their parents.
Any problems with the Bill may be dealt with on Committee Stage. Much thought was put into it and I hope it will be implemented. The Minister and Members do not want to stop young people from supplementing their incomes for third level education but this Bill will ensure they are not abused and are properly paid. It is wrong for young people to work at 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. in discos or chip shops. Perhaps the State could assist young people who cannot find summer work. The summer job scheme has worked well. This Bill will not affect those taking on young people during the summer months because 90 per cent of such employers are decent and honourable people, but there are always some who will take advangage and treat them like skivvies and that must be stopped.